JAM Magazine: April/May 1997 Issue: For the Record

Ronnell Bright
SEA MIST

Personnel: Dr. Ronnell Bright, piano and vocals; Luther Hughes, bass; Matt Johnson and N'dugu Chancler, guitar; Bill Watrous, trombone (on "Sea Mist"); others unlisted.

Tracks: Christmas - Here It Is Again, Sea Mist, Comet in the Sky, I've
Been Here Before, We'll Have a Holiday, Sweet Pumpkin, Talk about Loving You, Special Night, Alone with My Thoughts of You, Ages Ago, It Won't Bother Me, Denver's the City, When All is Well, Tender Loving Care, Kiss Me Awake Each Morning, I Will Forget You, It's Written in the Stars, Will-O-the Wisp.

Pianist, composer, arranger and music director are titles that can't begin to describe the musical gifts of native Kansas Citian, Dr. Ronnell Bright. Bright's life-long career in jazz has included gigs with Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan and many more. (Ms. Vaughan once called him, "My Backbone.")

Sea Mist contains 18 original tunes, one of which is Dr. Bright's frequently recorded "Sweet Pumpkin." This release presents the majestic piano styling (and arranging) that so many Kansas Citians became accustomed to during Bright's KC stay in the late 1980s.

Several tunes are worthy of special mention. The title track, "Sea Mist," is a warm ballad featuring shining lines by trombonist Bill Watrous. Also heard on this track is one of Bright's better vocals of the collection plus piano work that is filled with emotion, giant chords and an almost classical kind of soul.

"Talk About Loving You," another ballad, includes more of Bright's outstanding piano, "Ages Ago" is a crisp jazz waltz with cool riffs, lyrics and phrasing, plus strong bass work by Luther Hughes, and "Special Night" is one of the up tempo tunes that makes this collection indeed special. The stick work of Matt Johnson really shines on this cut.

Please note that I have not referred to Sea Mist as a record, tape or CD. It isn't any of these. If this "release" isn't a first, it is nearly so and represents a totally new approach to the marketing of recorded music. Although many people will be left out of the loop at the beginning, I see this becoming a common method of buying music in the future. Let me explain.

To purchase this collection of tunes (or yes, even part of it), you must first be on the Internet and have a fairly high-powered computer with plenty of available storage space via hard drive or tape backup drive. You also have the option of making your own CD with a recordable CD-ROM drive. The e-mail announcement that accompanies this release states, "Grammy Award-winning pianist, Dr. Ronnell Bright introduces the 'Bright Way' to distribute his music. Utilizing the Internet, you may sample before you buy, and build your own list of sounds that match your musical tastes. Sample before you buy -- from home. The Bright Way will be considered the best and easiest way to purchase music. Visit the Web site at: http://cyberaire.com/drronnellbright for a complete step by step process."

Which is what you must do to download this album.

Long term, this new technology will allow a local group or musician to compete directly with the largest recording companies. (Of course, there are the duplication and copyright problems that come with this new territory, but that's another story.) And eventually, what Ronnell Bright has done with Sea Mist will become a common marketing technique.

So, if you remember and enjoy the Ronnell Bright style, and, if you are a "teckie" ready to take advantage of this new marketing technology, by all means purchase "The Bright Way," and prepare to enjoy Sea Mist.

The future of marketing jazz on the Internet has arrived.

-- Dean Hampton

Phil DeGreg
TABLE FOR THREE

Personnel: Phil DeGreg, piano; Eric Sayer, Mike Sharfe, bass; Steve Barnes, Marc Wolfley, drums

Tracks: Come Rain or Come Shine, It Might As Well Be Spring, Anthropology, Sail Away, Carol's Waltz, Broadway, Hallucinations, Elizete, Lush Life, Cupbearers, We Kiss In A Shadow

Recorded at Corbett Studio, Cincinnati, OH

If you've followed the KC jazz scene since the mid '70s, you'll remember a fine young pianist by the name of Phil DeGreg. Then, while a student of John Elliot and a member of the UMKC jazz band, DeGreg maintained a high profile in the local jazz community with, among others, the late John Lyman and the band Lyman fronted each week at the Signboard Bar at Crown Center.

Today, DeGreg is a successful performer in the Cincinnati area as well as an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. He is also the house pianist at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club where his trio has worked steadily since 1989 backing everyone from J.J. Johnson, Mark Murphy and Ira Sullivan, to Carl Fontana, Nick Brignola, and KC's Bobby Watson. (And that's just the short list.)

Add to this impressive resume an excellent CD, out in late '96, titled Table For Three; a recording that showcases jazz trio playing at its finest. From the very start it's clear that a) this is a group (actually there are two configurations) that has worked steadily together and is tight as a glove, b) Phil DeGreg has, since his KC days, grown into a first-rate world class jazz pianist, and c) fresh arrangements and new life can still be brought to tried and true jazz standards. From medium groovers like "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Broadway," to burners like "It Might As Well Be Spring" and Bud Powell's "Hallucinations," Phil DeGreg is nimble, solid and inventive. And tasty backing/strong soloing from cohorts Eric Sayer and Mike Sharfe (bass), and Steve Barnes and Marc Wolfley (drums) makes this album a start-to-finish keeper.

Table For Three might be hard to find in the Kansas City area, but it can be ordered by mailing a check or money order for $15 (which includes postage) to 4439 Abby Court, Cincinnati, OH 45248.

Do so soon; this highly recommended recording will not disappoint.

-- Mike Metheny

RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1997 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Ronnell Bright SEA MIST Personnel: Dr. Ronnell Bright, piano and vocals; Luther Hughes, bass; Matt Johnson and N'dugu Chancler, guitar; Bill Watrous, trombone (on "Sea Mist"); others unlisted. Tracks: Christmas - Here It Is Again, Sea Mist, Comet in the Sky, I've Been Here Before, We'll Have a Holiday, Sweet Pumpkin, Talk about Loving You, Special Night, Alone with My Thoughts of You, Ages Ago, It Won't Bother Me, Denver's the City, When All is Well, Tender Loving Care, Kiss Me Awake Each Morning, I Will Forget You, It's Written in the Stars, Will-O-the Wisp. Pianist, composer, arranger and music director are titles that can't begin to describe the musical gifts of native Kansas Citian, Dr. Ronnell Bright. Bright's life-long career in jazz has included gigs with Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan and many more. (Ms. Vaughan once called him, "My Backbone.") Sea Mist contains 18 original tunes, one of which is Dr. Bright's frequently recorded "Sweet Pumpkin." This release presents the majestic piano styling (and arranging) that so many Kansas Citians became accustomed to during Bright's KC stay in the late 1980s. Several tunes are worthy of special mention. The title track, "Sea Mist," is a warm ballad featuring shining lines by trombonist Bill Watrous. Also heard on this track is one of Bright's better vocals of the collection plus piano work that is filled with emotion, giant chords and an almost classical kind of soul. "Talk About Loving You," another ballad, includes more of Bright's outstanding piano, "Ages Ago" is a crisp jazz waltz with cool riffs, lyrics and phrasing, plus strong bass work by Luther Hughes, and "Special Night" is one of the up tempo tunes that makes this collection indeed special. The stick work of Matt Johnson really shines on this cut. Please note that I have not referred to Sea Mist as a record, tape or CD. It isn't any of these. If this "release" isn't a first, it is nearly so and represents a totally new approach to the marketing of recorded music. Although many people will be left out of the loop at the beginning, I see this becoming a common method of buying music in the future. Let me explain. To purchase this collection of tunes (or yes, even part of it), you must first be on the Internet and have a fairly high-powered computer with plenty of available storage space via hard drive or tape backup drive. You also have the option of making your own CD with a recordable CD-ROM drive. The e-mail announcement that accompanies this release states, "Grammy Award-winning pianist, Dr. Ronnell Bright introduces the 'Bright Way' to distribute his music. Utilizing the Internet, you may sample before you buy, and build your own list of sounds that match your musical tastes. Sample before you buy -- from home. The Bright Way will be considered the best and easiest way to purchase music. Visit the Web site at: http://cyberaire.com/drronnellbright for a complete step by step process." Which is what you must do to download this album. Long term, this new technology will allow a local group or musician to compete directly with the largest recording companies. (Of course, there are the duplication and copyright problems that come with this new territory, but that's another story.) And eventually, what Ronnell Bright has done with Sea Mist will become a common marketing technique. So, if you remember and enjoy the Ronnell Bright style, and, if you are a "teckie" ready to take advantage of this new marketing technology, by all means purchase "The Bright Way," and prepare to enjoy Sea Mist. The future of marketing jazz on the Internet has arrived. -- Dean Hampton Phil DeGreg TABLE FOR THREE Personnel: Phil DeGreg, piano; Eric Sayer, Mike Sharfe, bass; Steve Barnes, Marc Wolfley, drums Tracks: Come Rain or Come Shine, It Might As Well Be Spring, Anthropology, Sail Away, Carol's Waltz, Broadway, Hallucinations, Elizete, Lush Life, Cupbearers, We Kiss In A Shadow Recorded at Corbett Studio, Cincinnati, OH If you've followed the KC jazz scene since the mid '70s, you'll remember a fine young pianist by the name of Phil DeGreg. Then, while a student of John Elliot and a member of the UMKC jazz band, DeGreg maintained a high profile in the local jazz community with, among others, the late John Lyman and the band Lyman fronted each week at the Signboard Bar at Crown Center. Today, DeGreg is a successful performer in the Cincinnati area as well as an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. He is also the house pianist at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club where his trio has worked steadily since 1989 backing everyone from J.J. Johnson, Mark Murphy and Ira Sullivan, to Carl Fontana, Nick Brignola, and KC's Bobby Watson. (And that's just the short list.) Add to this impressive resume an excellent CD, out in late '96, titled Table For Three; a recording that showcases jazz trio playing at its finest. From the very start it's clear that a) this is a group (actually there are two configurations) that has worked steadily together and is tight as a glove, b) Phil DeGreg has, since his KC days, grown into a first-rate world class jazz pianist, and c) fresh arrangements and new life can still be brought to tried and true jazz standards. From medium groovers like "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Broadway," to burners like "It Might As Well Be Spring" and Bud Powell's "Hallucinations," Phil DeGreg is nimble, solid and inventive. And tasty backing/strong soloing from cohorts Eric Sayer and Mike Sharfe (bass), and Steve Barnes and Marc Wolfley (drums) makes this album a start-to-finish keeper. Table For Three might be hard to find in the Kansas City area, but it can be ordered by mailing a check or money order for $15 (which includes postage) to 4439 Abby Court, Cincinnati, OH 45248. Do so soon; this highly recommended recording will not disappoint. -- Mike Metheny RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.